Mail-delivering device



S. J. PECK.

MAIL DELIVERING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-2'7, I9I5.

1,194,315.. Patented Aug. 8,1916.

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APPLICATION FILED AUG-Z7, I9I5.

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Patented Aug. 8, 1916.

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SAMUEL J'. PECK, OFjEATON, INDIANA.

MAIL-DELIVERING DEVICE.

Application filed August 27, 1915.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, SAMUEL J. Pack, a citizen of the United States, residing at Eaton, in the county of Delaware and State of Indiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Mail-Delivering Devices, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to a mail delivering device, and more particularly to the class of station mail bag delivering apparatus.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of this character wherein a mail bag or sack will be automatically thrown into a car on the passing of the train by the station, without requiring the stopping of the train or a reduction in the speed of travel thereof.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of this character wherein the handling of the mail bag or sack for the transfer thereof from the station to the train will not in any manner damage the bag or sack, thus assuring maxi- .mum life thereto during its use.

A further object of'the invention is the provision of an apparatus of this character which is simple in construction, automatically actuated, reliable and eflicient in operation, and inexpensive in manufacture.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, com bination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings :-Figure 1 is a side elevation of a mail delivering apparatus con structed in accordance with the invention and set ready for delivering a mail bag. Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof after the delivery of the mail bag. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 1 is a rear elevation. Fig. 5 is a detail side view of the trip pawl or latch. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical transverse sectional view.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawings.

Referring to the'drawings in detail, the mail bag delivering apparatus comprises a circular base 10 which is suitably fastened upon a foundation located at the station and near one side of the railway track over which travels the mail car.

Superimposed upon and rotatably mount Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 8, 1916.

Serial No. 47,633.

. ed on the base 10 is a stand comprising an upwardly tapered circular body 11 formed with a bifurcation 12 in its upper portion providing spaced vertical ears 13, the body being formed with a bottom 14, centrally through which is passed a pivot bolt 15, the same being also passed through the base 10, and in this manner the stand is pivoted to the latter, while provided concentrically of the bottom 14: is a marginal depending flange 16 which encircles the base 10 and in which is pivoted a locking dog 17 adapted to engage in either of a pair of slots 18 formed in the side of the base to hold the stand immovable when in operative position.

Mounted for swinging movement between the vertical ears 13 is a throw arm 19 which is supported upon a pivot 20 engaged in the said ears, the arm 19 at its outer end being fitted witha mail bag hopper 21 in which 'is adapted to be placed a mail bag or sack to be thrown into a car when passing the station. -The inner endof the arm 19 is formed with an enlarged terminal 22 against which plays one end of a coiled expansion spring 23 held within upwardly directed curved guideways 24 formed in a split upwardly directed curved barrel or housing 25 integrally formed within the body of the stand and closed at its free end through the medium of a cap or head 26 having threaded therein an adjusting screw 27 working against a bearing follower 28 for the opposite end of the spring, and the tension of the spring 23 serves to swing the arm 19 in a direction for the throwing of the mail bag or sack from the hopper 21 into a car for the delivery of the said bag or sack therein.

Pivoted in the split barrel or housing 25 is a trip lever 28, the outer end of which works within an elongated slot 29 formed in a bracket 30 which is pivoted to the body 11 of the stand and also to the head 26 on the barrel or housing 25 integral therewith, while the inner end of the said lever 28 has pivoted therein a latch dog or detent 31 which projects'intothe path of movement of the terminals 22 of the arms 19, and is adapted to lock the same against movement under the tension-of the spring 23 until the said trip lever 28 is released, in a manner presently described.

Adjustably fitted within the body 11 of the stand is a resilient bufier 32 supported upon the adjustable screw33 engaged in the body of the stand, and this buffer 32 serves to absorb the shocks and jars incident to the throw of the arm 19 under the action of the spring 23 for the successful delivery of a mail bag or sack from the hopper 21 at the outer free end of the arm. Upon the bracket 30 is pivoted a tripping arm 34, in the lower end of which is journaled a peripherally grooved roller 35, in the groove of which is adapted to engage the nib 36 on the outer free end of the trip lever 28to hold it into position for locking the throw arm 19 against swinging movement, and this arm 34 is adapted to be engaged by a projecting part upon the car or the train so as to trip the same, and thereby release the trip lever 28, which in turn frees the throwarm 19 for the action of the spring 23, which swings it from angular position to perpendicular position, thereby giving sufficient impetus or momentum to the mail bag or sack within the hopper 21 for tossing it within the car. Carried by the bracket 30 is an outwardly bowed friction spring 37 with which engages the arm 34 to hold the same in position when the wheel 35 engages the nib on the trip lever 28' to prevent the accidental freeing of the said trip lever. When the throw arm 19 swings from perpendicular position to angular position the terminal 22 thereof will trip the dog or pawl 31 so as to pass the same and become locked thereby on the setting of the trip lever 28 with the trip arm 34, the dog or pawl 31 being pivoted within a substantially V-shaped recess 38 formed in the inner end of the lever 28' so as to limit 'the movement of the said pawl or dog, as

will be clearly apparent.

The stand can be readily turned on releasing the catch 17 so that the mail bags can be placed within the hopper 21 without sub ecting a person to danger by standing too close tothe track.

In the operation of the'apparatus the arm 19 1s swung in such a position to toss the mall bag angularly in the direction of the movlng train, the parts for locking the arm 1n such position being engaged with each other and also with the inner terminal of the arm, and the mail bag or sack is contamed within the hopper 21 thereon. Now, on the approach of the car during the travel of the train the arm 34: is struck so that the trip lever 28 is freed, and the tension of the spring 24 acts upon the arm 19 to throw the same from angular position to perpendloular position. This movement of the arm Wlll throw the mail bag or sack from the hopper 21 into the car through the doorway therein. V

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and. manner of p tion of the device will be clearly understood, and therefore a more extended explanation has been omitted.

WVhat is claimed is 1. A mail delivering apparatus comprising a rotatably supported stand having a bifurcation providing spaced vertical ears, an arm pivoted to the ears for movement therebetween, a bag hopper supported upon the arm, an adjustable buffer mounted in the stand in the path of movement of the lower end of the arm, arcuate shaped extensions directed upwardly and integral with the ears to form a split guide barrel, resilient means held within the said barrel and working against the lower end of the arm, and a trip lever pivoted between the extensions forming the barrel and having a pivotal detent located in the path of movement of the lower end of the arm to permit the movement of the arm to pass the lever in one direction before locking it against movement in the reverse direction until said lever has been tripped.

2. A mail delivering apparatus comprising a rotatably supported stand having a bifurcation providing spaced vertical ears, an arm pivoted to the ears for movement therebetween, a bag hopper supported upon the 'arm, an adjustable buffer mounted in the stand in the path of movement of the lower 'end of the arm, arcuate shaped extensions directed upwardly and integral with the ears to form a split guide barrel, resilient means held within the said barrel and working against the lower end of the arm, a trip lever pivoted between the extensions forming the barrel and having a pivoted detent located in the path of movement of the lower end of the arm to permit the movement of the arm to pass the lever in one direction before locking it against movement in the reverse direction until said lever has been tripped, means on the stand for locking the same against rotation, and an adjustable follower located in the barrel and working against the outer end of the resilient means for varying the tension thereof.

3. A mail delivering apparatus comprising a rotatably supported stand having a bifurcation providing spaced vertical ears, an arm pivoted to the ears for movement therebetween, a bag hopper supported upon the arm, an adjustable buli'er mounted in the stand in the path of movement of the lower end of the arm, arcuate shaped extensions directed upwardly and integral with the ears to form a split guide barrel, resilient means held within the said barrel and working against the lower end of the arm, a trip lever pivoted between the extensions forming the barrel and having a pivotal detent located in the path of movement of the lower end of the arm to permit the movement of the arm to pass the lever in one direction be- Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the roller journaled in the said member, and a 10 nib formed on the lever and Working in the groove in the periphery of the roller.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

SAMUEL J. PEOK. Witnesses:

DANE PEOK, CoRWELLo K. VANBUSKIRK.

Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

